Economic Development News

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (July 21, 2020) – SCA Pharma, an FDA-registered outsourcing facility, today announced that it will expand its operations in Little Rock. SCA will be investing more than $10 million and will create the opportunity to double its current Little Rock workforce of 180 people.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (July 7, 2020) – Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced plans to open its first fulfillment center in Little Rock, Arkansas. The new fulfillment center, which is anticipated to launch in 2021, will create over 1,000 new full-time jobs with industry-leading pay and comprehensive benefits starting on day one.

Local, state and federal leaders gathered today for a groundbreaking ceremony on new transportation infrastructure at the Port of Little Rock. Construction has now begun to widen and improve Zeuber Road to meet heavy industrial standards in anticipation of two new companies locating there.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 28, 2020) – After a nationwide search, Alleviant Health Centers decided to expand their headquarters in their hometown of Little Rock. An operator of mental health clinics across the United States, Alleviant provides a combination of traditional therapies and innovative, holistic methods for their patients. In addition to maintaining their corporate ope ...

Arcturus Aerospace, an aerospace manufacturer located in California, announced today it will be relocating its operations to Little Rock. Veteran-owned and operated, Arcturus Aerospace is an AS9100D certified operation that provides both quality and on-time delivery of CNC machined parts to aircraft manufacturers.

In response to recent developments related to COVID-19,  Little Rock SCORE is temporarily suspending all in-person business advice and counseling sessions until further notice. This includes the Little Rock Regional Chamber SCORE Office Hours. However small businesses will still be able to access support services utilizing a conference call.

The Little Rock Regional Chamber joins public health officials in supporting our city, state and nation's efforts to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus through recommended practices of social distancing. While we each do our part in minimizing the impact this virus will have on our health, the economic health of our community and nation is also at risk.

Little Rock, AR (February 6, 2020) - Priority1 announced Thursday it plans to add 100 jobs in Little Rock by the end of the year. The logistics company also said it would add another 100 jobs at operations across the nation. "Priority1 is fortunate to be in the midst of a strong growth cycle," Chief Executive Officer Dan Berardi said. "Little Rock has been good to us and it i ...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (November 18, 2019) - Following a competitive search, Express Rx, a pharmaceutical retailer with stores across the southeastern U.S., has decided to locate its new headquarters in Little Rock. To keep pace with its national expansion, the company expects to create 24 new high-paying jobs. “At Express Rx, we are focused on providing the highest quality health ...

Little Rock, AR (October 30, 2019) - HMS Mfg. Co. announced plans today to open a new 550,000 sq. ft. injection molding facility in the Port of Little Rock. HMS Mfg. Co. expects to create around 90 new jobs within the next two years. HMS Mfg. Co.’s strategic expansion in Little Rock will integrate cutting-edge manufacturing practices that align with corporate growth plans.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. September 18, 2019 – The Venture Center and the Little Rock Regional Chamber today announced the inaugural Spark! Cohort at a kickoff ceremony held at The Venture Center.  Spark! is a pre-accelerator program offering free office space in The Venture Center, while providing mentorship and training to launch the cohort’s businesses to the next level of growth.

LITTLE ROCK, AR (August 26, 2019) – During the awards luncheon at their 2019 Annual Conference in Fort Smith, the Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives (AEDCE) recognized Kristi Barr as the Outstanding Economic Developer for 2019. Kristi is the director of workforce development & education for the Little Rock Regional Chamber and has been with the organizati ...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. August 13, 2019 – The Venture Center and Little Rock Regional Chamber today announced Spark!, a pre-accelerator program offering free office space in The Venture Center. Spark! is taking applications from central Arkansas small businesses until September 4, 2019. Spark! will select up to eight local startups to claim offices in The Venture Center for the dura ...

LITTLE ROCK, AR (July 9, 2019) – Priority1 Inc., a Little Rock, Arkansas, based company offering third-party logistics services including truckload, less-than-truckload and warehousing solutions, announced today it will hire at least 50 new corporate headquarters employees as a result of their continued national growth. Priority1, with corporate headquarter offices in the River ...

The Metro Little Rock Alliance (MLRA) has launched a new brand and website to market the 12-county region to corporate executives, site selection consultants and potential new residents as a prime location to do business and live in Central Arkansas.

The Little Rock Regional Chamber announced a new partnership with the local SCORE chapter of Little Rock.  Little Rock SCORE is a resource partner of the Small Business Administration that provides free and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of your small business. The chamber will host office hours for SCORE mentors to meet with small businesses and potential small businesses. SCORE mentors are seasoned and successful business owners who volunteer their time to guide other businesses.

CZ-USA, the U.S.-based affiliate of Czech firearms manufacturer Česká zbrojovka a.s. Uherský Brod (CZUB), announced today plans to locate their North American Headquarters and build a new manufacturing facility on approximately 73 acres at the Port of Little Rock. CZ-USA plans to implement a two-phase approach with an investment of up to $90 million and create some 565 jobs over a six-year period. CZ products are considered some of the highest-quality firearms in defense, competition and sport shooting around the world.

Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) and local officials today announced Little Rock has completed the Competitive Communities Initiative (CCI) evaluation that aims to ensure the city’s preparedness to successfully compete for jobs and investments.

The Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission, the governing body of Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, has approved business terms that will allow AFTERGLOW Aircraft Solutions, an Arkansas-based company offering aircraft interior and paint refurbishments and detailing, to locate operations at the Little Rock airport. AFTERGLOW will lease space in an existing hangar, formerly occupied by Hawker Beechcraft, at the Airport Business Park, which is located to the west of the commercial terminal. Initially, AFTERGLOW will lease 11,871 square feet, and plans to expand to 31,925 square feet with a workforce of approximately 60.